General Information

A Declaration of Our Position

It has been keenly apparent to anyone who is at all aware of what has
been going on in this world, that we are losing our freedom to make
our own choices. No matter which way we turn, new laws are in place or
are being proposed that restrict our very lifestyle. Those groups of
people who choose to live a somewhat different lifestyle than what is
considered to be the norm in their particular society are even more
heavily restricted. Such groups not only suffer under more intense
legislative pressure but are also burdened with more severe judicial
penalties and law enforcement practices as well.

In the 1970's motorcyclists, like many other groups, began to
recognize the fact that theirs was a group that had better start to
protect it's interests. This realization ultimately led to the
formation of many Motorcyclists Rights Organizations (MROs) designed
to fight for the rights of all motorcyclists. Many of these MROs were
started by patch holding members of clubs, who soon determined that it
would be preferable, politically, to turn the leadership of such
organizations over to non-club related motorcyclists.

In the mid 1980's many of the MROs, seeing the massive size and power
of the opposition, began to unite with one another. They knew that
they had to develop a network of communication and cooperation if
they were to stand up against the massive resources available to the
insurance companies, governmental agencies, etc.

In the late 1980's after experiencing much negative judicial pressure,
some members of the patch holding clubs in Southern California felt
that they must once again step forward and rejoin the fight to secure
their freedoms. A few farsighted club leaders decided that the most
productive way to add their support to the cause was to form an
organization of patch holding clubs which would focus on judicial
issues and also provide financial support to those causes which the
MROs dealt with on their behalf. This seemed a good alternative, as
it would add a judicial front to the already effective legislation one
provided by the MROs; and thus, the Confederation of Clubs of
Southern California was formed in 1988. In and of itself, this was a
significant milestone in motorcycling history. For the first time
motorcycle clubs joined together in a united effort to protect the
rights of all motorcyclists.

If accomplishments and growth can appropriately be used to determine
the value of this idea, then it seems that it was and is a very
valuable one. For example, since it's inception, the Confederations of
Clubs have fought and won most, if not all, of the judicial issues
regarding discrimination that they have undertaken. On numerous
occasions, they have provided funds to MROs and even independent
attorneys to file lawsuits in local, Provincial and Federal Courts, to
stop legislative encroachment on the rights of all motorcyclists. Some
of these suits have had great effect in gaining these rights back.
Also, in a short seven years, growth has occurred in two areas. First:
the Confederation of Clubs of Southern California has added members
continually until almost every club in that are is now a participating
member. Second: numerous other Confederations have come into existence
and appear to be making a very significant impact in their areas.

Although the common goal of all the Confederations is, to fight for
it's member clubs rights through the Courts, against biker
discrimination, governmental intrusion and harassment; each of these
Confederations is totally independent of one another. Their structure,
methods of operation and specific goals are, completely based on their
own decisions. Each area covered by a Confederation had it's own
unique situations to live with and therefore must remain free to deal
with them as they see fit. However; this does not mean that there is
no communication between the different Confederations. Every
Confederation has, of it's own choice, joined NCOM along with many
other MROs, Clubs and Associations. At least twice each year the
representatives of these organizations gather at a national and
regional NCOM Convention where they get to know each other and share
what is going on in their particular areas. The hope of many is that
these encounters will eventually develop into an effective network of
communication, which will result in an even stronger unity between all
the freedom fighters across the country and even the world.

The Confederations major focus is in the area of biker discrimination.
In many areas businesses refuse to allow colours to be worn in their
establishments. Likewise, as anyone who wears colours can tell you,
the law enforcement authorities treat patch holders more severely in
many cases. The confederations consider such acts to be discriminatory
and want it known that they will use every legal means possible to
stop such practices.

In their effort to achieve this goal, the member clubs gather
regularly to discuss incidences which have occurred to members of
participating clubs. The facts are laid out and discussed then, if it
seems appropriate, a vote is taken as to whether to pursue the matter,
even through the courts, if necessary. If affirmed, litigation is
embarked upon.

At these meetings, clubs are also advised as to how to appropriately
talk to proprietors, police officers and how and when to file
complaint forms. The legal approach is stressed as the only method
appropriate to any situation.

The requests for help from MROs and others who fight on the front
lines for the rights of motorcyclists, legislatively and judicially,
are considered and voted upon at these meetings as well. If affirmed,
the support is provided.

All of this requires financial backing. The Confederations gather
their funds in a number of ways. They may set up an annual dues which
is paid by each member club, they may sponsor regular events such as,
poker runs, parties, swap meets, etc.; and/or, they may propose
special donations for a specific purpose and vote on these issues.

As you can see, the goals of our confederations are very simple: We
are united and dedicated to legally fight against any encroachment on
our freedom to choose our lifestyle by law enforcement authorities,
insurance companies, local proprietors or any other special interest
group. We mean to do this legally, through the courts if necessary;
and, in cooperation with and in support of the MROs and any others
who fight for the rights of motorcyclists.

Our confederations know that the war will be long, perhaps none of us
will ever see the end of it, but we are united in our dedication to
fight every battle and win every one we can. The enemies of
motorcycling will learn, if they haven't already, that the harder they
fight us the closer and more united we become.